Ukraine’s counter-offensive against Russian defenses is an extremely difficult operation and “it is no surprise” that it is not progressing quickly, Admiral Rob Bauer, chairman of NATO’s Military Committee, said Monday.
“There are a significant number of Russians in Ukraine. There are significant defensive obstacles,” the admiral argued.
Kiev acknowledges that advancing into the south of the country is difficult given the entrenched Russian positions, but adds that Ukrainian troops are in the process of retaking territory.
Bauer insisted that “it is no surprise” that it was not a quick counter-offensive. “This type of surgery is extremely difficult,” he said.
The chairman of NATO’s Military Committee said Ukrainian commanders were rightly “cautious” in investigating weaknesses in Russian lines as they risk losing many troops in attacks on Moscow forces.
The war in Ukraine prompted NATO to undertake the largest overhaul of eastern defenses since the end of the Cold War more than three decades ago.
Atlantic Alliance leaders are expected to sign new regional military plans at their meeting in Lithuania next week, outlining NATO’s response in the event of a Russian attack.
Bauer stated that NATO believes that Russian forces will recover from the attack they suffered in Ukraine and will be able to rebuild themselves in the coming years. “We will continue to view them as a serious threat,” he said.
The head of the Atlantic Alliance also stated that the time it takes for Moscow to restore its military capability could give NATO room to breathe, as it will take “a significant number of years” to reach the largest number of preparedness forces needed to make its new plans fully operational.
Meanwhile, the admiral of the Netherlands said NATO countries must do everything they can to continue to support Kiev.
“If Ukraine loses the war, it will not be the end of instability. It will be the beginning of more instability,” he defended.
Strengthening NATO’s position “costs money,” Bauer admitted. At the next summit, NATO leaders are expected to agree on an increase in defense spending to at least 2% of GDP. However, some allies do not defend that the target of reaching 2% is immediate.
Source: DN
